Binder



Jan. 23, 1945. E. M. PHILLIPS BINDER Filed Sept. 25, 1942 WENTOR fUl V/A/ .Pw; A/RS seflw TORN Patented Jan. 23, 1945 umrso STATES PTENT OFFlCE BINDER Edwin M. Phillips, East Orange, N. J.

Application September 23, 194K2, Serial No. 459,435

1 Claim.

This invention relates to binders for holding together a quantity of loose or independently swingable leaves, pages or th like, and the object of the invention is to provide a binder of the class described, comprising inexpensive sheet material cut and folded to form one or more leaf engaging loops and integral flanges for supporting said loops in predetermined extended position, a further object bein [to provide a binder formed from sheet material and comprising a plurality of spaced band portions joined at adjacent ends thereof by integral flange portions adapted to be secured together to form a fiat backing member for mounting the binder in a suitable cover or support, while at the same time forming of the band portions closed leaf engaging loops; and with these and other objects in view the invention consists in a binder of the class for the purpose specified which is simple in construction, efficient in use and which is constructed as here and after more specifically described. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my improved binder.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the construction shown in Fig. 1 indicating leaves or pages associated with the binder.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the structure as seen in Fig. 1 indicating the engagement of a leaf or page therewith.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the cutout blank of sheet material employed to form the construction shown in Fig. 1.

Most ring binders for the mounting and supporting of loose or independently swingable leaves, pages and the like, involve intricate and costly operations in the production, as well as the use of relatively expensive material; It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a simple and practical binder formed from inexpensive sheet or strip material. Any suitable sheet material may be used such, for example, as sheet metal, plastic, or cardboard, but it isprimarily intended to employ a treated cardboard or other fibrous material which has been found to provide a sturdy and durable binder at a minimum material and production cost.

In the drawing, I have shown my invention as comprising a binder l formed from a blank H cutout as seen in Fig. 4 to provide mounting flanges 12, 12a having integral loop or ring for ing bands l3 extending therebetween. In the drawing the blank ll has been indicated as having three of such bands It. It will be understood, however, that any number of bands may be employed, depending upon the size of the pages or leaves to be engaged, and the number of engagements between the leaves and binder which is desired. A plurality of blanks Il may be stamped or cut from a large sheet of material or on the other hand a continuous strip may be employed, equal in width to the width or length of the blank desired. In some instances the blank might also be scored at the ends of the bands 13 to facilitate accurate folding of the blank to form the binder It as seen in Figs. 1 to 3.

In assembling the binder the flanges 12, Ha are secured together in superimposed relation as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. by stapling, cementing or other suitable means. In this connection apertures l4 may be provided in the flanges to facilitate accurate alinement thereof, and insure proper arrangement of the bands or loops I3. The superimposed flanges l2, 12a thus secured together form a relatively rigid back for the binder, which is adapted to be secured to a cover or other suitable support.

The leaves or pages l5 are provided with elongated apertures lfi' along one edge thereof, spaced in accordance with the spacing of the loops l3 and shaped to loosely engage said loops, as will be apparent from a consideration of Fig. 3 of the drawing. The pages 15 are further provided with cuts ll extending from the apertures 16 to the adjacent edge [8 forming means for attaching and detaching pages with respect to the loops l3 of the binder.

The loops l3 preferably include substantially straight side portions I9 arranged perpendicularly to the superimposed flanges l2, l2a so that extending pages l5 will lie one directly above the other, as seen in Fig. 2, thereby relieving the strain on the apertures thereof, as well as providing a neat appearance. Between the straight portions IS, the loops-l3 assume a smoothly rounded contour facilitating free turning of the leaves or pages l5. The formation of the straight side partions IQ of the loops l3, will be insured by partlally shaping the loops 13, while the binder is in the form of the blank ll.

The blank I3 also includes score or fold lines indicated by the dot and dash lines 20 and 2| of Fig. 4, which form at the ends of the loops I3 wall portions 2222a. These Wall portions are in alinement with the fiat sides l9, and extend perpendicularly to the flanges l2-l2a. This construction form a binder which is more rigid against twisting and longitudinal bending, and this feature is important when the binder is to be mounted in connection with a light weight cover, or other non-rigid support. The flanges 22, 22a also serve to support pages in slightly spaced relation to a cover thereby preventing interference between the pages and the cover, in closing the same.

The economical feature of my improved binder is amplified by the compactness and simplicity in handling. For example, blanks such as the blank ll of predetermined size may be packed fiat and shipped to the manufacturer and there readily assembled in connection with covers or other supports. It will also be noted that for those doing miscellaneous binding, the binder may be supplied incontinuous strips or roll and cut off in the desired lengths of 2, 3 or more loop forming bands to meet various needs.

It will be noted that the loops of my binder are formed from the flat blank by the operation of folding the sheet or strip material and securing together the flange portions connecting the loop forming bands. The flange portions may be secured together and may co-act one with the other in any desired manner to form a backing member or a part thereof integral with the loops. It will further be noted that my improved binder is characterized as comprising a backing member having page engaging rings or loops extending perpendicularly therefrom in predetermined spaced relation, the loops being arranged parallel to each other and each comprising a relatively wide thin band having parallel edges.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A device for securing together loose or independently swingable leaves or pages, comprising a unitary sheet member having a plurality of transverse bands, longitudinally extending means joining corresponding ends of said bands, said means comprising fiat strips of substantially uniform width arranged in superimposed relation to form a straight fiat backing portion, said bands forming in conjunction with said means and on one surface thereof closed loops having straight parallel side portions extending perpendicularly to side edges of said backing portion. and said strips having upwardly extending flanges at side edges of said means and intermediate said bands, forming a backing of substantially channel cross sectional contour with a flat bottom.

EDWIN M. PHILLIPS. 

